Contents

Pyeongchang region was ruled by the Goguryeo Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period, and it was called Uk-o-hyeon (욱오현).[6] After the Silla dynasty conquered the Goguryeo Dynasty and Baekje Dynasty, it was renamed Baek-o-hyeon (백오현).[7]

After the Goryeo Dynasty was established, it renamed Pyeongchang-hyeon. Then, it was under control of Wonju.[8] When a 10-provincial system was enforced, the north of Pyeongchang region was involved in Sakbang-do, and the south of the region was involved in Jungwon-do. When a new administrative system was carried out by King Hyeonjong, the east of the region was involved in Dong-gyeo, and the rest of it was included in Yanggwang-do. An administrator for the region was sent from the central government, and it became independent of Wonju in 1299.[9]

When the Joseon Dynasty was founded in 1392, the region was promoted from a hyeon to a county (gun).[10] After the territory was divided into 8 Provinces under the reign of King Taejong, it was involved in Gangwon-do.[11] After the territory was divided into 23 districts in 1895 with the 8-provincial system abolished, it was included in Chugju-bu. When a 13-provincial system was enacted in 1896, it was involved in Gangwon-do.[12]

Average temperature of Pyeongchang from 2001 to 2010 was 7.0 °C, and it was lower than Gangwon's 8.9 °C. Annual precipitation of the region from 2001 to 2010 was 1,555.0 mm, and it was more than Gangwon's 1,491.5 mm.[17]

The warmest months of the year are July and August, with January and February being the coldest.

Sangwansa is a temple on Odaesan Mountain that was originally established as Jinyeowon in 705. Although the Joseon Dynasty's policy was the prohibition of Buddhism, it constantly donated to rebuild the temple. In 1401, King Taejong donated to the construction of Sajaam Hermitage. In 1465, King Sejo and administrators donated to rebuild the temple.[22] Sejo's son, King Yejong designated it as a memorial for his father. During the Third Battle of Seoul, the United Nations Command ordered that the temple be burned, but a Buddhist monk prevented it. Instead, the Command agreed to burn only the doors of the temple.[23]

Woljeongsa is a temple on Odaesan Mountain established by Jajang the monk in 643. After it was established, it was consistently rebuilt. During the Third Battle of Seoul, 10 buildings were
totally destroyed by fire. Tanheo the monk restored Jeokgwangjeon, one of the burnt buildings, in 1964, and Manhwa the monk gradually reconstructed other buildings.[24]

Daegwallyeong Snow Festival began as "Daegwallyeong Winter Snow Festival" in 1992 by Daegwallyeong Ski Club. In 1993, the first festival was formally held. Events of the 1st festival were skiing competition for locals, games of making snowmen, snow sledge competition, and sledge competition. Some games were added to next festivals, such as traditional games and snow car raising. [25]

On 7–22 Feb 2018, 26th festival was held in hwenggye-ri, Daegwallyeong-myeon as a pre-event of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Events include an exhibition of snow figures, snow sledge competition, international naked marathon, traditional folk performances, and Hwangbyoungsan Mountain hunting game.[26]

Hyoseok Cultural Festival

Pyeongchang is the hometown of Lee Hyo-seok, a Korean novelist,[27] and this festival is held in Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village, where he grew up.[28]

The Lee Seung-bok Memorial Hall is located in Nodong-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon to memorialize Lee Seung-bok who was a South Korean boy murdered by North Korean commandos in 1968. It was established in 1982, with building a memorial statue for Lee. Lee's house was restored in 2000.[29]

Odaesan Mountain is the home of historical Buddhist temples including Sangwonsa and Woljeongsa.[30] It was designated as a national park in 1975. The highest peak, Birobong Peak is 1,563 m (5,128 ft) high.[31]

Two major ski resorts in the county were the home of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Alpensia ski resort has six slopes for skiing and snowboarding, with runs up to 1,400.0 m (4,593.2 ft) long, for beginners and advanced skiers, and an area reserved for snowboarders. The resort is open year-round.[32] Alpensia hosted the majority of the Olympic snow events.[33]Yongpyong Resort, which has a total of 28 ski slopes, hosted the technical alpine skiing events.[34]

Samyang Ranch is the largest highlands farm in Asia, located in the hills of Daegwallyeong at 850 to 1,470 meters above sea level. It is operated as a petting zoo and features a pastoral landscape. The ranch is operated by the leading Korean food and dairy company Samyang food, the first company to introduce ramyeon instant noodles into a poverty-ridden South Korea in the 1960s.
It is the filming location of the drama Autumn in My Heart and the movie Lover’s Concerto.[36]

The Asian Winter Games was held in 1999 in Gangwon Province including Pyeongchang. Originally, it hoped to host the 3rd Asian Winter Games, which North Korea gave up; however, Harbin was announced to host the 3rd Games. It was decided that Gangwon would host the 4th Asian Winter Games at the same time.[37]

For the 2018 Olympics, Pyeongchang is being marketed with the CamelCase spelling of "PyeongChang", so the global audience does not confuse it with Pyongyang, the capital of neighboring North Korea.[40] Two main facilities for the 2018 Winter Olympics were the PyeongChang Olympic Plaza (where the opening / closing ceremonies and victory ceremonies were held) and the Gangneung Olympic Park (where the men's and women's short track, speed skating, figure skating, ice hockey, curling events were held).[41] The 2018 Winter Paralympics was held in the same venues starting March 9, 2018.[42]

In preparation for the 2018 Olympics, the region has built facilities including hotels and a world-class ski resort, named Alpensia.

The region is implementing its so-called 2018 Dream Program, a legacy of the 2010 bid. It has mounted its fifth sports and cultural program, involving 124 participants from 31 countries, who were invited because they live where there is no snowfall and have no opportunity to participate in winter sports.[43]

A new KTX line named Gyeonggang Line was built between Wonju and Gangneung via Pyeongchang for the 2018 Winter Olympics and put Pyeongchang within 80 minutes of travel time from Seoul, and the new KTX line started commercial operation since Dec. 22, 2017. It takes 1 and half hours from Cheongnyangni KTX station (NE Seoul) as well as Seoul station of Gyeonggang high speed rail.[44]

Pyeongchang Bus Terminal and Jangpyeong Bus Terminal, Jinbu Bus Station and Hoenggye Bus Station are the main intercity bus terminals of the county. Daehwa Bus Station is also served by intercity buses.[46]

Transit buses

Local transit operators connect communities in the county to hubs at Pyeongchang Bus Station, Jangpyeong Bus Terminal, and Jinbu Bus Station.